Controlling device for electrically-heated utensils



g Mar. 3, 1925. l

C.G'. COUGHLAN v CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR LEGTRICALLY'HEATED UTENSILS F1ed May 29, '1919 IN1/EN TOR.

* ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES G. coUeHLAN, or NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, AssIeNoR To LANnnRs,

FRARY & CLARK, OF NEW BRITAIN,

NEGTICUT.

CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION 0F CON- CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY-HETED UTENSILS.

Application led May 29, 1919. Serial No. 300,620.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES G. Coucrr LAN, a citizen of the United' States, and a resident oit New Britain, in the county ot Hartford, State of Connecticut, lhave in- 1vented certain new and useful Improvements in a Controlling Device for Electrically-Heated Utensils, of which the follow ing is a speciiication.

This invention relates to a controlling device for electrically heated utensils and has as its object to provide a unitary structure for detachably connecting the circuit wire or cord to the utensil and controlling the current through the utensil so that the current may be controlled at the po-int where the cord or circuit wire is connected onto the4 utensil.

A controlling device constructed in accordance with the present invention is simple and compact in construction, and neat and pleasing in appearance.

The above and other objects of my invention are obtained in the structure described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings; and wherein Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an electrically heated utensil to which my improved controlling device is attached.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken centrally through the controlling device.

Figs. 3 and 4 are inside views of the bottom and top parts respectively of the base portion of the device.

Fig. 5 is an end view with a portion of the hase in section.

I have illustrated in Fig. 1 an electrically heated .utensil 10, the same being shown more or less conventionally as my improved controlling device is applicable for use in connection with any type of electrically heated utensil. The utensil shown is of the multi-heat type having resistance elements (illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5) which transform the current into heat, and these resistance elements have the usual terminals which in the present instance comprise terminal posts 11, three in number as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 5.

My controlling device has a base or body portion constructed of insulating material,

such as porcelain, and While this base may be of any suitable construction, the specific formationthereof being immaterial, I have shown the same, Jfor illustrative purposes, as comprising two parts 12 and 13 secured together by bolts 14 passing through the openings 15 in the parts. Mounted within the base are terminal members which are adapted to be detachably connected to thev terminal posts 11 of the heating element oil the utensils, and while I have shown these terminals as comprising spring clips 16 spaced similarly to the terminal posts 11 so as'to receive the same, `it is to be understood that the type of terminals may be varied, any suitabletype being applicable which will permit quick and ready attachment and detachment of the contro-lling device to and from the utensil. It will be seen from the drawing that when attaching the device to the utensil the terminal members 11 and 16 are moved towards each other in a direction at right angles to the` face oi' the base opposed to the utensil.

' Carried upon the outer face of the base is a multi-way switch of the rotary type, in the present case, the switch being a fourway one, as the utensil shown has its resistance elements so arranged as to give three heats, as high, medium and low. The switch comprises four posts 17 provided with spring contacts 18, and a spindle 19 carrying two movable contacts such as switch blades 20. The arrangement of the switch parts is such that the switch may be turned into oit, high, medium or low positions.

The circuit wires, which as usual are wrapped to form a. cord 21, are led into the device through the side of the base. The base is preferably chambered or recessed to provide a space for the connections 15a be` tween the cord, the switch posts 17 and the terminals 16. From the drawings, it will be notedthat the spindle 19 is at right angles to the face of the base which abuts` of the switch does not stand out to the eX- tent that it is unsightly. Y

It Willbe seen from they foregoing' description that When it is desired to connect the. utensil inthe line, the.controlli-rigidevice is detachablyconnected to `the utensil by slipping the terminals 16 over the terminal posts l1, and in this position the bottom of the base Will lieflatagainst'the.side of the utensil. The spring action of the terininal 16 is strong enough to preventaoci-" dental displacement of the controlling device. Atter the' controlling-device is apv` plied to the utensil the current :is controlled by the rotary switch.

The structure is a unitary one vand 'is ofL particular advantage as thecurrent mayfb'e controlled at the saineend vof the cord fas that at which the cord is connected 'to thev utensil. A person seated before'the cooking utensil inay attach ordetach the device to the utensil and control the current'florving through the utensil without rising from thel table or otherwise .changingfhis position.v

En accordance with the provisioniofjthe' patent statutes, I'have described "the .principle of operation -oi` nay' invention, .together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to haveit .understood 'that the .device sho-Wn is only illustrative, and that the in- Y vention can be carried `out by other. means and between said inner and outer vfaces thereof and extending ,at rightY angles to said ffacesfsaidfsoclret terminals being oitset relatiye to4 butr inv parallelism with said switch spindle, connections Withiny said chamberbetweenfsaid"sWitcli' post and said socket terminals; andf line'wiresl leadingthrough the side'ot said base into said chainber and,connected'tofcertain of'f'said posts.

CHARLES G! COUGHLAN.' 

